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Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 26, 2022 CEO of Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Markus Duesmann and Audi Chief Development Officer, Oliver Hoffmann pose for a photograph with the new Audi F1 car as German manufacturer Audi announce they will join the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
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Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 26, 2022 CEO of Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, Markus Duesmann and Audi Chief Development Officer, Oliver Hoffmann pose for a photograph with the new Audi F1 car as German manufacturer Audi announce they will join the Formula 1 World Championship from the 2026 season as a power unit supplier REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
Alfa Romeo announced the signing of former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl as their new CEO. The team that is currently being operated by Sauber is all set to become Audi in the 2026 season. The Swiss outfit currently races with Valtteri Bottas and rookie-of-the-year, Zhou Guanyu in F1.
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The team recently lost its team principal and CEO, Frederic Vasseur. The Frenchman will replace the departing boss Mattia Binotto next season at Ferrari. They replaced Andreas Seidl as the CEO, but not as the team principal. Moreover, his signing has cast doubts over the future of their driving pair of Bottas and Zhou.
According to former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher, the German does not feel that Bottas’ future at the Swiss team is a lengthy one. However, he feels that the Chinese driver is more established as compared to Valtteri.
Ralf Schumacher said to Sky Sports F1, “I’m curious what ideas Seidl has with the drivers, there are also rumors. Zhou is more or less established, brings in a lot of money, which is not insignificant until Audi really comes along.” [Translated from Google]
“Bottas should not necessarily stay there too long.”
READ MORE: Unlike Valtteri Bottas, Lewis Hamilton Once Had a Memorable Experience With “Hot” Fans in a Lift
Bottas helped Alfa Romeo finish P6 in the WCC this season. They finished P9 the season before while Bottas celebrated yet another constructor’s championship in 2021 with Mercedes.
Amidst his future uncertainties, Valtteri Bottas reminisces his Mercedes days
Valtteri Bottas might not be fighting for race wins anymore, but he is adapting to his new role in Sauber. But he admitted to missing his previous teams Williams and Mercedes in a recent interview. Still, the Finn explained how his move to Alfa Romeo has helped his career.
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Formula One F1 – Turkish Grand Prix – Intercity Istanbul Park, Istanbul, Turkey – October 10, 2021 Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the race REUTERS/Umit Bektas
When asked if he missed racing for the Silver Arrows, the Finn told Planet F1, “Of course, you’re always missing all the previous teams in some way.”
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He further added, “No doubt, I miss Williams, I miss Mercedes, obviously, I got to know many people there. But, like I’ve said earlier this year, still my feeling is I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at the moment.”
The former Mercedes driver also said that he needed a change in scenery after adopting the number 2 role to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Dramatic F1 moments in Monaco GP history feat. Frozen Bottas
While the future still looms unclear over Battas’ head, he’ll be looking to perform on the track and secure himself a seat for the upcoming seasons. Will Valtteri Bottas remain on the grid or will he face the same fate as Daniel Ricciardo?
